When JJ Wetherholt entered Spring Training, no one doubted his hitting ability.
That had always been the standout feature of the profile belonging to the player selected 7th overall by the Cardinals in the 2024 MLB Draft.
But defense was a different story.
Wetherholt had potential.
He had speed.
He had instincts.
But there was still plenty of room for improvement if he wanted to become a reliable second baseman at the Major League level.
A few months later, the narrative has completely flipped.
Wetherholt hasn’t just become a solid defender.
He is now regarded as one of the best defensive players in all of MLB.
Sports Illustrated described his latest metrics as “eye-popping” and emphasized that what Wetherholt is achieving in his rookie season is “special.”
21 OAA – a figure that has caught the attention of the entire MLB
21 Outs Above Average.
That was the figure Wetherholt had posted heading into August 12.
To put that incredible level into perspective, only Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs ranked ahead of him, with 22 OAA.
Wetherholt even ranked ahead of Bobby Witt Jr., a player widely considered one of the best defenders in modern baseball.
That is no small margin.
It is a statement.
A 23-year-old rookie is ranking among the MLB elite in turning potential hits into outs.
And what makes it even more remarkable is that Wetherholt is doing it at second base.
Virtually unrivaled at his position
Sports Illustrated offered a comparison that has Cardinals fans even more excited.
Among second basemen, Luis Arraez ranked second with 11 OAA.
Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers ranked third with 10 OAA.
Wetherholt? 21.
Nearly double Arraez’s figure.
More than double Turang’s.
That gap shows that Wetherholt isn’t just leading the pack.
He is dominating.
And this is precisely why *SI* concluded that no other MLB second baseman has played defense anywhere near Wetherholt’s level this season.
This is exceptionally rare for a player just entering the Major Leagues.
The scary part? He’s still a rookie.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the story isn’t the 21 OAA.
It’s the fact that Wetherholt is still in his debut season.
Coming out of Spring Training, expectations for him were higher on the offensive side. And his performance at the plate has certainly justified that.
Heading into the game on August 12, Wetherholt had played 114 games, posting a slash line of .244/.349/.380 with a .729 OPS, 16 home runs, 45 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 12 doubles, and 75 runs scored. His OPS+ stood at 108, meaning his offensive production was 8% above the MLB average.
For a 23-year-old rookie, that is already a highly impressive season.
But now, something even more remarkable has come to light:
Wetherholt might also be an elite defender.
An all-around player the Cardinals can’t afford to lose.
The Cardinals don’t just have a rookie who can hit.
They have a player who can impact the game on both sides of the ball.
A base hit.
A stolen base.
A home run.
Followed by a diving stop to rob a hit.
A quick throw.
A perfect pivot.
An out the opponent never saw coming.
That is Wetherholt’s value.
A player like that gives the manager a wealth of tactical options. And more importantly, he provides the Cardinals with an incredibly reliable defensive foundation up the middle.
From “room for improvement” to standout contender
What makes the story even more compelling is how rapidly this transformation occurred.
Wetherholt didn’t enter the season with a reputation as an elite defensive second baseman.
*Sports Illustrated* even noted during Spring Training that his defense was an area with room for improvement.
But once the regular season began, everything seemed to click.
He reads the ball better.
He reacts faster.
He moves more efficiently.
And most importantly, his ability to execute difficult plays has become increasingly consistent.
By mid-August, this was reflected in an OAA (Outs Above Average) of 21.
That is an extraordinary leap.
A historic rookie season in the making?
JJ Wetherholt has frequently been mentioned in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
*Sports Illustrated* previously highlighted that he is putting together one of the most remarkable rookie seasons in Cardinals history.
The Cardinals haven’t had an NL Rookie of the Year winner since Albert Pujols in 2001.
Wetherholt is making fans dream of a repeat of history.
But what makes this special is that the conversation is no longer just about his offensive prowess.
He is generating defensive value that rivals the best defenders in MLB.
That is the kind of factor that can turn a “good” rookie season into an extraordinary one.
Have the Cardinals found a future leader?
Wetherholt is just 23 years old.
Yet, his style of play suggests he could become a key part of the Cardinals for years to come.
He has proven he can hit.
He has demonstrated his speed. He has demonstrated the ability to deliver big moments, including an RBI double in the eighth inning that helped the Cardinals defeat the Rockies 7-4 on August 9.
And now, he is turning defense into one of his greatest strengths.
A young player with such a well-rounded skillset is an incredibly valuable asset.
Especially for a team looking to build a foundation for the future.
One number says it all.
In baseball, you sometimes need hundreds of statistics to evaluate a player.
But for JJ Wetherholt, a mark of 21 OAA tells nearly the whole story.
It is the figure that places him near the very top of MLB.
It is the figure that puts him ahead of Bobby Witt Jr.
It is the figure that sets him miles apart from almost every other second baseman.
And it is a figure achieved in his very first season.
JJ Wetherholt is no longer just a rookie with an impressive bat; he is emerging as one of the most formidable defensive players in MLB. Transforming what was cited as a weakness before the season into a skill that has stunned the league, Wetherholt has made defense a standout attribute. With 21 OAA—ranking second across all of MLB and leading the second base position by a wide margin—if this is merely his rookie year, the Cardinals may well be witnessing the rise of a special star.
⚠️ AI CONTENT DISCLOSURE: This article may use AI-generated images to make the visual presentation richer and more engaging. These visuals are intended for illustrative and entertainment purposes only and may not represent actual photographs, plays, players, or events described in the article.
DISCLAIMER: This content is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Statistics, player performance, defensive metrics, roster information, and other MLB-related details may change or be updated. Readers should verify important information through official MLB sources and reputable sports publications. This content is not an official statement from the St. Louis Cardinals, MLB, JJ Wetherholt, or any other player or organization mentioned.
PERSONAL OPINION: In my view, JJ Wetherholt’s defensive development is one of the most fascinating parts of his rookie story. If a player who was once considered to have room for improvement defensively can develop into a standout defender at the major-league level, that says a lot about his work ethic and ability to adapt. ⚾
What impresses me most is not simply one defensive statistic, but the possibility that Wetherholt could become a more complete player for St. Louis. If he continues combining strong defense with consistent offensive production, I believe he could become an increasingly important piece of the Cardinals’ future. 👀🔥
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